Despite multiple attempts to define the status of marijuana in the United States, the question of its legalization remains open. Cannabis is still illegal in some states and at the federal level, and people want to understand if its medical benefits could prevail over its evident harms. The purpose of this paper is to define the conditions under which legalization of marijuana should be prohibited regardless of its potential help. Uncontrolled dependence and the inability to predict the growth of the black market are the key points for consideration. Today, ballot measures and legalization may not be enough to introduce and allow marijuana usage due to its addictive nature and economic aspects.
Cannabis provokes multiple discussions in many spheres of modern business. Although 19 American states have already legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, the number of states with doubts is evident (Kersey). Specific reimbursement measures are required today, and social concerns continue growing. To support their positions about the benefits of marijuana, people use it for medical purposes. It reduces pain, manages anxiety, and controls nausea and vomiting (Hall 282). Patients might feel relaxation and increased sociability, which leads to faster recovery. However, marijuana legalization debates are hard to stop and come to the same conclusion. In addition to all its potential health benefits, economic costs and a lack of successful experience cannot be ignored. There were strong reasons to prohibit cannabis in most countries during the last century (Hall 285). Experts underline that legalized marijuana could have adverse outcomes on worker compensation and intoxication issues (Kersey). People need to control its usage by any possible things and focus on creating new treatment methods.
In general, marijuana legalization is a controversial social and political issue. There are many arguments to support (pain relief and treatment) and oppose (the black market and dependence) its promotion in the United States. Until the government cannot find a solution, the medical and healthcare spheres should work hard to find out something to replace cannabis with minimal shortages. Modern scientists continue discovering new forms of cures and increase hope for marijuana analogs that are safe for people to be introduced soon and close the question of marijuana legalization.
Works Cited
Hall, Wayne. “The Costs and Benefits of Cannabis Control Policies.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 22, no. 3, 2020, pp. 281-287.
Kersey, Laura. “2021 Marijuana Legalization Update: Five Things You Need to Know.” NCCI, 2021.